verbaslt

I know I might be asking for the world however can anyone recommened nice centally located hotels in Sydney, Cairns, Melbourne and Brisbane for no more than $120US a night?

I've seen a few on different web sites but I trust the opinion of my fellow fodorites much more.

Anything that has breakfast included would be great as well.

Oh yeah, this is for August travel

Thanks

LizzyF

Do some research on www.wotif.com.au for the places you mention.

marg

The Travelodge near Southbank in Melbourne is usually about $A100 and is close to everything. Also Ibis Hotels are usually reasonably priced - worth doing a search in the cities you mention.

Ceidleh

I second the vote for Travelodge. I stayed at the one in Melbourne and also in Sydney. Clean, quiet - breakfast not included in price, but all rooms at Travelodge have a fridge, microwave and are stocked with dishes and silverware. If you stop into Coles supermarket, you can easily prepare breakfast (and even pack a basic lunch).

In Cairns, I stayed at The Balinese Motel (recommended in Rough Guide Australia book). It's an older property, but rooms have air conditioning and it's in a good, safe location and cheap (I paid $50/night during summer season last year). Balinese was clean, quiet and had a nice pool, free internet, community kitchen (though fridge in all rooms) stocked to prepare simple meals, guest laundry facilities. Free continental breakfast served in their courtyard for all guests was more than ample.

afterall

Why restrict yourself to a hotel? You might do better to look at the better up-market hostels. You could get a double room (for single occupancy) for less in all the cities you wish to visit.

verbaslt

afterall
I dont know much about hostels. Do any of them have private bathrooms? That's a must

Ceidleh

Verbaslt: SOME hostels have private bathrooms inside the rooms. Check to see if they mention "ensuite" on the website. If they have ensuite rooms, you are more likely to get a private bath if you book a double for just yourself and your travel partner, though I have stayed at some hostels in 4 or 6 share rooms that had their own shower, sink and toilet.

If it doesn't say anything about ensuite rooms, likely you will find separate bathrooms for men and women - though I have also stayed at a number of hostels that had co-ed bathrooms. So if you decide you can live with a shared bathroom, you may want to check what is being offered if this is an issue for you.

ARay

Just returned from 21 days in Australia, where we stayed at the Travelodge Southbank in Melbourne and the Travelodge on Wentworth in Sydney. Both were less than $100/night, clean, safe and well located. Southbank is a five-minute walk from downtown Melbourne and close to several tram stops. The Sydney Wentworth is just south of downtown and close to bus and rail stops; a direct bus to Bondi Beach is two blocks up the road. I would recommend both as good budget accommodations with private bath. Breakfast was not included at either, but you're better off buying muffins or bagels at the nearest grocery store and "eating in" for the duration of your stay. Dining out in both cities is very expensive.

afterall

verbasit - yes they do, though if you are travelling alone you will have to book a double room to get one. Still cheaper than low end mainstream hotels.

check out Sydney Central yha here ..

www.yha.com.au

And in Cairns I can recommend Geckos. Brilliant atmosphere. Don't know about ensuite. But it's one of the few places I've found where if travelling alone you can get your own room at a budget price. Bathrooms there are shared. But super clean, and, hey, who cares? If you are travelling alone the chance to socialise with others which you won't get without an effort at an Accor or Travelodge, more than outweights having to take 20 steps to the bathroom.

Just my opinion. If you've never done it, it might sound daunting. But once you've taken the plunge, and if you are serious about not spending unnecessary dollars on a place to sleep, then you'll never look back.

And Australia is the very best place to s start. Hostels are of a very high standard and better than good unless you want your every wish catered for.

And to be honest the every wish is totally unnecessary. Breakfast? There'll be half a dozen places to score same within walking distance. If like me, you can't function without a cup of coffee, I've NEVER stayed in a hostel without a kitchen. Hot water on tap.

I could, of course, be flogging a dead horse. If you want a full service hotel, then, yes, you will find it hard to find anywhere in the capitals for less than $120usd that is centrally located.

So I offer an alternative.

I also like small old fashioned places if I can find them, and if that appeals I can recommemnd the Richmond Hill Hotel in Melbourne.

http://www.richmondhillhotel.com.au/

Cheers

wally34949

I stayed at the YWCA in Sydney. Great location. Private rooms with bathroom available.